Today, in America, is Pearl Harbor Day. A day that we remember because of the cost in life and peace of mind that we as a nation endured. We choose to remember and honor our people.
So today, as we count our way down to Christmas, my message is simple- gratitude.
Gratitude: “the state of being grateful.” ~Merriam Webster’s Dictionary
Today, I encourage you to enter into a state of gratitude. To take a moment and look at the world we live in.
So often we can look at the world around us and define it as “what is.” But if you were to travel across the globe to another land, “what is” or rather the culture is different.
As we live our lives it can be easy to stop seeing the items, things, and people that make up our daily reality. We can then miss the opportunity and importance of expressing gratitude for things, that if you think about it, are really important.
- What if no one answered when you called, 911?
- What if there was no fire department, no police force, no hospital?
- What if there was no public library?
- What if when you turned on the tap no water came our or if you pushed a switch no light came on?
For us, having at our disposal the wonders of the 21st Century, at the touch of a button or a dialing of the phone is normal. But it will only continue to be, if we invest in what’s important.
This means supporting legislature to finance our emergency services and public programs. It also means showing the people who offer us these gifts, gratitude.
You Matter:
Years ago, there was an article in the paper about a police officer who had been shot in the line of duty. As a young girl I saw this article, or more accurately the picture, and I told my mom that I wanted to do something for this man. In that moment my heart went out to a man who put himself in danger to keep children like me safe.
At my mother’s direction I sat down and wrote him a “get well soon” letter, and on the way to deliver it to the police station I found a penny on the ground. So, I picked it up and slipped it into the letter.
Later, after the police officer made it out of the hospital and healed, I had a chance to meet him and his K-9 (police service dog). It was then that he told me, that my penny, now his lucky penny, sat on the dash of his squad car to keep him safe.
Express Gratitude:
The people who are fire fighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, librarians, and even garbage collectors (the list goes on and on) are just that- people. They have families, dreams, fears, and hopes. They have good days and bad days, and they can get tired.
Sometimes they can even feel that they don’t matter. But they do. So it is not only our job but our blessing to make sure that they know, that we care.
Following a period of such strife with a global pandemic, who are you grateful for? Let them know, because they aren’t mind readers.
When you see people on the job or wearing the uniform, thank them. Also write to them, maybe bake a treat, give them something tangible like a lucky penny to keep with them. So when they’re feeling down or the strain and weight of their role in life feels too much to bear, they can look to the dashboard and see a memento. Proof that they matter, that we care.
Today is not just a day to honor and remember those who have passed but those who follow in their stead. The lives we live, the joys we know, and the safety we feel comes from our community. So today, express gratitude.
Have a blessed day, Chickadee. Thank you for being a part of my community.
For more about gratitude and the influence it has on our health and well-being, check out this link to an article by Positive Psychology.